CHAPTER 3: THE SPANISH PERIOD (1565-1898) 3.

Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre (in

Spanish and Tagalog)
Historical Background  This is the first book printed in typography.
 Their lifestyles changed too. They bui houses mad
4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat
of stones and bricks, use beautiful furniture like the
 This is a Biblical story printed in the Philippines and
piano and use kitchen utensils. Carriages, trains and
translated to Tagalog from Greek by Fr. Antonio de
boat were used as means of travel. They hel fiestas
Borja
to honor the saints, the pope and th governors.
 It is believed to be the first Tagalog novel published in
They had cockfights, horse race and the theater as
the Philippines even if it is only a translation. The
means of recreation.
printed translation has only 556 pages. The Ilocano
 This gave rise to the formation of the different
translation in poetry was done by Fr. Agustin Mejia.
classes of society like the rich and the landlords.
Some Filipinos finished courses like medicine, law,
5. The Pasion
agriculture and teaching. Many Filipinos finished
 This is the book about the life and sufferings of Jesus
their schooling already had been established
Christ. It is read only during Lent. There were 4
versions of this in Tagalog and each version is
A. SPANISH INFLUENCES ON PHILIPPINE
according to the name of the writer.
LITERATURE
 These are the Pilapil version (by Mariano Pilapil of
Due to the long period of colonization of the Philippines by Bulacan, 1814), the de Belen version (by Gaspar
the Spaniards, they have exerted a strong influence on our Aquino de Belen of Bat. In 1704, the de la Merced (by
literature. Aniceto de la Merced of Norzagaray, Bulacan in 1856)
and the de Guia version (by Luis de Guia in 1750).
1. The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was  Critics are not agreed whether it is the Pilapil or the de
replaced by the Roman alphabet. la Merced version which is the most popular.
2. The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the
basis of religious practices. 6. Urbana at Felisa
3. The Spanish language which became the literary  A book by Modesto de Castro, the so called Father of
language during this time lent many of its words to Classic Prose in Tagalog. These are letters between two
our language. sisters Urbana at Felisa and have influenced greatly the
4. European legends and traditions brought here behavior of people in society because the letters dealt
became assimilated in our songs, corridos, and with good behavior.
moro-moros.
5. Ancient literature was collected and translated to 7. Ang Mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary)
Tagalog and other dialects.  A collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary. Fr.
6. Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino priest, wrote this in 1865
Tagalog, Ilocano and Visayan. and it was popular especially during the Maytime
7. Our periodicals during these times gained a “Flore de Mayo” festival.
religious tone.
C. LITERARY COMPODITIONS
B. THE FIRST BOOKS
1. Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala (Art and Rules of
1. ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA (THE CRHISTIAN
the Tagalog Language). Written by Fr. Blancas de San
DOCTRINE)
Jose and translated to Tagalog by Tomas Pinpin in
 This was the first book printed in the Philippines in
1610.
1953 in xylography. It was written by Fr. Juan de
Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, in Tagalog and
2. Compendio de la Lengua Tagala (Understanding the
Spanish. It contained the Pater Noster (Our Father), Ave
Tagalog Language). Written by Fr. Gaspar de San
Maria (Hail Mary). Regina Coeli (Hail Holy Queen),
Agustin in 1803.
the Ten Commandments of God, the Commandments of
the Catholic Church, the Seven Mortal Sins, How to
3. Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala (Tagalog
Confess, and the Cathecism. Three old original copies
vocabulary). The first Tagalog dictionary written by Fr.
of this book can still be found at the Vatican, at the
Pedro de San Buenaventura in 1613.
Madrid Museum and at the US Congress. It contains
4. Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga (Pampanga
only 87 pages but costs $5,000.0.
Vocabulary). The first book in Pampanga written by Fr.
Diego in 1732.
2. Nuestra Senora del Rosario
 The second book printed in the Philippines was written
5. Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya (Bisayan
by Fr. Blancas de San Jose in 1602, and printed at the
vocabulary). The best language book in Visayan by
UST Printing Press with the help of Juan de Vera, a
Mateo Sanchez in 1711.
Chinese mestizo. It contains the biographies of saints,
novena, and questions and answers on religion
6. Arte de la Lengua Ilokana (The Art of the Ilocano Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn wherein to deliver the
Language). The first Ilocano grammar book by baby Jesus.
Francisco Lopez.
5. The Salubong (or Panubong) - The Salubong is an
7. Arte de la Lengua Bicolana (The Art of the Bicol Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the Risen Christ
Language). The first book in the Bicol language and and his mother. It is still presented in many Philippine
written by Fr. Marcos Lisbon in 1754. towns.

D. FOLK SONGS. 6. Carillo (Shadow Play) - this is a form of dramatic

entertainment performed on a moonless night during a town
 Folk songs became widespread in the Philippines. Each
fiesta or on dark nights after a harvest. This shadow play is
region had its national song from the lowlands to the
made by projecting cardboard figures before à lamp against
mountains of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
 Folk songs truly manifest the artistic feelings, of the a white sheet. The figures are moved like marionettes whose
Filipinos. They show the Filipinos’ innate appreciation dialogues are produced by some experts.
for and love of beauty. The examples are Leron-Leron
 The dialogues are drawn from a Corrido or Awit or
Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi and
some religious play interspersed with songs. These
Atin Cu Pung Singsing.
are called by various names in different places:
E. RECEREATIONAL PLAYS.  Carillo in Manila, Rizal and Batangas and Laguan;
TITRES in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Bataa, Capiz
 These are many recreational plays performed by and Negros; TITIRI in Zambales; GAGALO or
Filipinos during the Spanish times. Almost all of KIKIMUT in Pampanga and Tarlac; and ALIALA
them were in poetic form. Here are examples: in La Union.

1. Tibag - the word tibag means to excavate. This ritual 7. The Zarzuela - considered the father of the drama; it is a
was brought here by the Spaniard to remind the people musical comedy or melodrama three acts which dealt with
about the search of St. Helena for the Cross on which man's passions and emotions like love, hate, revenge,
Jesus died. cruelty, avarice or some social or political proble.

8. The Sainete - this was a short musical comedy popular

2. Lagaylay – this is a special occasion for the Pilareños during the 18th century. They were exaggerated comedies
of Sorsogon during Maytime to get together. shown between acts of long plays and were mostly
-As early as April, the participating ladies are performed by characters from the lower classes. Themes
chosen and sometimes, mothers volunteer their were taken from everyday life scenarios.
girls in order to fulfill a vow made during an illness
or for a favor received. In some parts of Bicol, a F. THE MORO-MORO. Like the Cenaculo, the Moro-
moro is presented also on a special stage This is performed
different presentation is made but the objective is
during town fiestas to entertain the people and to remind
the same – praise, respect and offering of love to
them of their Christian religion. The plot is usually the same
the Blessed Cross by St. Helen on the mound she
that of a Christian princess or a nobleman's daughter who is
had dug in. captured by the Mohammedans. The father organizes a
rescue party where fighting between the Moros and the
Christians ensues.
3. The Cenaculo – this is a dramatic performance to
commemorate the passion and death of Jesus The Mohammedans are defeated by some miracle or Divine
Christ. There are two kinds: the Cantada and Hablada. In Intercession and the Mohammedans are converted to
the Hablada the li nes are spoken in a more Christianity. In some instances, the whole kingdom is
deliberate manner showing the rhythmic measure of baptized and converted. One example of this is Prinsipe
each verse and the rhyming in each stanza and is Rodante.
more dignified in theme; the Cantada is chanted like
G. KARAGATAN. This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-
Pasion.
religious nature celebrated during the death of a person. In
-The Cenaculo is written in octosyllabic verse, with 8 verses this contest, more or less formal, a ritual is performed based
to the stanza. The full-length versions take about 3 nights of on a legend about a princess who dropped her ring into the
middle of the sea and who offered here hand in marriage to
staging. Performers come in costumes with wigs and
anyone who can retrieve it.
performers are carefully chosen for their virtuous life. One
performs the role of Jesus Christ and another the role of the A leader starts off with an extemporaneous poem
Virgin Mary. Many famous Cenaculo players come from the announcing the purpose. He then spins a "lumbo" o "tabo"
Tagalog regions although there are also those from locos, marked with a white line. Whoever comes in the direction of
Pampanga, Bicol and both Sibulanon and Hiligaynon. the white line when the spinning stops gets his turn to "go
into the sea to look for the ring." This means a girl will ask
4. Panunulayan – this is presented before 12:00 on him a riddle and if he is able to answer, he will offer the ring
Christmas Eve. This is a presentation of the search of the to the girl.
H. DUPLO. The Duplo replace the Karagatan. This is a
poetic joust in speaking and reasoning. The roles are taken
from the Bible and from proverbs and saying. It is usually
played during wakes for the dead.

I. THE BALAGTASAN. This is a poetic joust or a contest

of skills in debate on a particular topic or issue. This is
replaced the DUPLO and is held to honor Francisco
"Balagtas" Baltazar.

J. THE DUNG-AW. This is a chant in free verse by a

bereaved person or his representative beside the corpse of
the dead. No definite meter or rhyming scheme is used. The
person chanting it freely recites in poetic rhythm according
to his feelings, emotions and thoughts. It is personalized and
usually deals with the life, sufferings and sacrifices of the
dead and includes apologies for his misdeeds.

K. THE AWIT and the CORRIDO. Some use these two

interchangeably because distinction is not clear.

EXERCISES:

1. The First Spanish governor-general in the Philippines.

2 -3. What are the changes occurred in the lives of the

Filipinos during the Spanish Period?

4. The First Filipino Alphabet.

5. This was the First Book printed in the Philippines in 1593

in xylography.

6. This is a book about the life and sufferings of Jesus

Christ.

7. A book by Modesto de Castro, the so-called Father of

Classic Prose in Tagalog

8. This is a presentation of the search of the Virgin Mary

and St. Joseph for an inn therein to deliver the baby Jesus.

9. This is a short musical comedy popular during the 18th

century.

10. It is a personalized and usually deal with the life,

sufferings and sacrifices of the deed and includes apologies
for the misdeeds.